Donald O'Connor Picture
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Donald O'Connor (1925–2003)


Born into a vaudeville family, O'Connor was the youthful figure cutting a rug in several Universal musicals of the 1940s. His best-known musical work is probably Singin' in the Rain, in which he did an impressive dance that culminated in a series of backflips off the wall. O'Connor was also effective in comedic lead roles, particularly as the companion to Francis the Talking Mule in that film series. See full bio »

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Won Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations See more awards »

Known For


Filmography

Hide HideActor (84 titles)
1997 Out to Sea
Jonathan Devereaux
 
1996 The Nanny (TV series)
Fred
Freida Needa Man (1996) … Fred
 
1996 Frasier (TV series)
Harlow Safford
Crane vs. Crane (1996) … Harlow Safford
 
1994 Bandit: Bandit's Silver Angel (TV movie)
Uncle Cyrus
 
1993 The Building (TV series)
Bonnie's Father
Father Knows Best (1993) … Bonnie's Father
 
1992 Toys
Kenneth Zevo
 
1992 Tales from the Crypt (TV series)
Joseph Renfield
Strung Along (1992) … Joseph Renfield
 
1990 Murder, She Wrote (TV series)
Barry Barnes
The Big Show of 1965 (1990) … Barry Barnes
 
1987 A Mouse, a Mystery and Me (TV movie)
Alex the Mouse (voice)
 
1987 Highway to Heaven (TV series)
Jackie Clark
Playing for Keeps (1987) … Jackie Clark
 
1987 A Time to Remember
Father Walsh
 
1981-1986 The Love Boat (TV series)
Howard Enicker / Leo Halbert / Oscar Tilton
Second Banana/The Prodigy/What Goes Around (1986) … Leo Halbert
Paying the Piper/Baby Sister/Help Wanted (1984) … Howard Enicker
 
1985 Alice in Wonderland (TV movie)
The Lory Bird
 
1983 Hotel (TV series)
David Connelly
The Offer (1983) … David Connelly
 
1983 Great Performances (TV series)
Mock Turtle
 
1983 Simon & Simon (TV series)
Barnaby the Great / George Decova
Grand Illusion (1983) … George Decova/Barnaby the Great
 
1982 Pandemonium
Glenn's Dad
 
1982 Fantasy Island (TV series)
Dr. Watson
 
1982 The Littlest Hobo (TV series)
Freddie the Clown
The Clown (1982) … Freddie the Clown
 
1981 Ragtime
Evelyn's Dance Instructor
 
1977 Hunter (TV series)
 
1976 Police Story (TV series)
Holly Connor
Payment Deferred (1976) … Holly Connor
 
1976 The Bionic Woman (TV series)
Harry Anderson
A Thing of the Past (1976) … Harry Anderson
 
1975 Ellery Queen (TV series)
Kenny Freeman
The Adventure of the Comic Book Crusader (1975) … Kenny Freeman
 
1971 Li'l Abner (TV movie)
General Bullmoose
 
1969 The Jackie Gleason Show (TV series)
Charlie Pineapple / Charlie Ryan
The Honeymooners: Hawaii, Oh! Oh! (1969) … Charlie Ryan/Charlie Pineapple
 
1968 The Donald O'Connor Show (TV series)
Host
 
1966 ABC Stage 67 (TV series)
Hermes
Olympus 7-0000 (1966) … Hermes
 
1966 Vacation Playhouse (TV series)
Donald Dugan
The Hoofer (1966) … Donald Dugan
 
1966 Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (TV series)
Benjamin Boggs
Brilliant Benjamin Boggs (1966) … Benjamin Boggs
 
1965 That Funny Feeling
Harvey Granson
 
1961 Cry for Happy
Murray Prince
 
1958 The DuPont Show of the Month (TV series)
Johnny Shaw
The Red Mill (1958) … Johnny Shaw
 
1957 Playhouse 90 (TV series)
Dr. Robert Harrison
The Jet-Propelled Couch (1957) … Dr. Robert Harrison
 
1956 Anything Goes
Ted Adams
 
1955 Francis in the Navy
Lt. Peter Stirling / Bosun's Mate Slicker Donovan
 
1953 Walking My Baby Back Home
Clarence 'Jigger' Millard
 
1953 Call Me Madam
Kenneth Gibson
 
1951 Double Crossbones
Davey Crandall
 
1950 The Milkman
Roger Bradley
 
1950 Curtain Call at Cactus Creek
Edward Timmons
 
1949 Yes Sir, That's My Baby
William Waldo Winfield
 
1948 Feudin', Fussin' and A-Fightin'
Wilbur McMurty
 
1948 Are You with It?
Milton Haskins
 
1947 Something in the Wind
Charlie Read
 
1945 Patrick the Great
Pat Donahue Jr.
 
1944 Bowery to Broadway
Specialty Number
 
1944 The Merry Monahans
Jimmy Monahan
 
1944 This Is the Life
Jimmy Plum
 
1944 Follow the Boys
Donald O'Connor
 
1944 Chip Off the Old Block
Donald Corrigan
 
1943 Top Man
Don Warren
 
1943 Mister Big
Donald J. O'Connor, Esq.
 
1943 It Comes Up Love
Ricky Ives
 
1942 When Johnny Comes Marching Home
Frankie Flanagan
 
1942 Get Hep to Love
Jimmy Arnold
 
1942 Give Out, Sisters
Don
 
1942 Private Buckaroo
Donny
 
1939 On Your Toes
Phil Jr. as a Boy
 
1939 Death of a Champion
Small Fry
 
1939 Night Work
Butch Smiley, the Orphan
 
1939 Million Dollar Legs
Sticky Boone
 
1939 Unmarried
Ted Streaver (age 12)
 
1939 Boy Trouble
Butch
 
1938 Sons of the Legion
Butch Baker
 
1938 Sing, You Sinners
Mike Beebe
 
1938 Men with Wings
Pat Falconer at Age 10
 
1937 It Can't Last Forever
Kid Dancer (uncredited)
 
1937 Melody for Two
Specialty Act
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (30 titles)
2008 Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical Treasure (TV documentary) (performer: "Good Morning" - uncredited, "Singin' in the Rain" - uncredited)
 
1997 Hidden Hollywood: Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Film Vaults (TV documentary) (performer: "A Man Chases a Girl Until She Catches Him" - uncredited, "Anything You Can Do")
 
1994 That's Entertainment! III (documentary) (performer: "Fit as a Fiddle" 1932 - uncredited)
 
1992 MGM: When the Lion Roars (TV mini-series documentary)
The Lion in Winter (1992) (performer: "Singin' in the Rain" - uncredited, "Good Morning" - uncredited)
 
1985 That's Dancing! (documentary) (performer: "Moses")
 
1981 Arena (TV series documentary)
A Pretty British Affair (1981) (performer: "Make 'Em Laugh" 1952 - uncredited)
 
1976 That's Entertainment, Part II (documentary) (performer: "Good Morning" 1939 - uncredited)
 
1974 That's Entertainment! (documentary) (performer: "Singin' in the Rain" 1929 - uncredited, "Make 'em Laugh" 1952 - uncredited)
 
1963 The Judy Garland Show (TV series)
Episode #1.1 (1963) (performer: "Sunny Side Up" - uncredited, "Sing, You Sinners" - uncredited, "Be My Guest" - uncredited, "Inka Dinka Do" - uncredited, "My Mammy" - uncredited, "Indian Love Call" - uncredited, "Rose Marie" - uncredited, "Stout Hearted Men" - uncredited, "The World Is Your Balloon" - uncredited, "Harrigan" - uncredited, "In Those Good Old Days of Vaudeville" - uncredited, "Nagasaki" - uncredited, "Yaaka Hula Hickey Dula Hawaiian Love Song" - uncredited, "I Can Always Find a Little Sunshine in the Y.M.C.A." - uncredited, "At the Moving Picture Ball" - uncredited, "The Old Soft Shoe" - uncredited)
 
1962 Arthur Freed's Hollywood Melody (TV movie) (performer: "Forty-Second Street" - uncredited, "You Are My Lucky Star" - uncredited, "Singin' in the Rain" - uncredited)
 
1956 Anything Goes (performer: "Ya Gotta Give The People Hoke", "You're The Top", "It's De-lovely", "You Can Bounce Right Back", "A Second Hand Turban And A Crystal Ball", "Blow Gabriel Blow")
 
1954 There's No Business Like Show Business (performer: "Lazy" - uncredited, "A Man Chases a Girl Until She Catches Him" - uncredited, "When the Midnight Choo-Choo Leaves for Alabam'" - uncredited, "Alexander's Ragtime Band" - uncredited)
 
1954 The 26th Annual Academy Awards (TV special) (performer: "The Moon Is Blue")
 
1953 Walking My Baby Back Home (performer: "Walkin' My Baby Back Home")
 
1953 Call Me Madam (performer: "It's a Lovely Day Today", "You're Just In Love", "What Chance Have I With Love?", "Something To Dance About", "You're Just in Love" reprise, "Finale: You're Just In Love/Something to Dance About")
 
1953 I Love Melvin (performer: "We Have Never Met, As Yet", "Life Has Its Funny Little Ups and Downs", "Where Did You Learn To Dance")
 
1952 Singin' in the Rain (performer: "Singin' in the Rain" 1929 - uncredited, "Fit as a Fiddle" 1932 - uncredited, "Make 'em Laugh" 1948 - uncredited, "Moses" 1952 - uncredited, "Good Morning" 1939 - uncredited, "Singin in the Rain in A-Flat" 1929 - uncredited)
 
1952 The Colgate Comedy Hour (TV series)
Episode #2.23 (1952) (performer: "Friendship" - uncredited, "Birth of the Blues" - uncredited)
 
1950 The Milkman (performer: "THE EARLY MORNING SONG", "IT'S BIGGER THAN BOTH OF US", "THAT'S MY BOY")
 
1948 Are You with It? (performer: "What Do I Have To Do?", "A Little Imagination", "Down at Baba's Alley")
 
1947 Something in the Wind (performer: "The Turntable Song", "Happy Go Lucky and Free", "I Love a Mystery")
 
1944 Bowery to Broadway (performer: "He Took Her for a Sleigh Ride")
 
1944 The Merry Monahans (performer: "Beautiful To Look At" - uncredited, "We're Having a Wonderful Time" - uncredited, "Stop Foolin'" - uncredited, "I Hate to Lose You" - uncredited, "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody" - uncredited, "Missouri Waltz" - uncredited, "Impersonations" - uncredited, "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" - uncredited, "In My Merry Oldsmobile" - uncredited, "What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For?" - uncredited, "The Old Folks at Home" - uncredited, "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny" - uncredited, "I Love You, California" - uncredited, "Rose Room" - uncredited)
 
1944 This Is the Life (performer: "It's the Girl" - uncredited, "Yippee-I-Voot" - uncredited, "You're a Lollapalooza" - uncredited)
 
1944 Follow the Boys (performer: "Kittens With Their Mittens Laced" - uncredited)
 
1943 Mister Big (performer: "All the Things I Want To Say", "Rude, Crude and Unattractive", "We're Not Obvious", "Thee and Me", "Come Along My Mandy", "Hi, Character", "The Spirit Is In Me", "Kitten With My Mittens Laced")
 
1942 When Johnny Comes Marching Home (performer: "One Of Us Has Gotta Go", "The Yanks Are Coming")
 
1942 Private Buckaroo (performer: "James Session" - uncredited)
 
1939 On Your Toes (performer: "Oh, You Beautiful Doll" 1911 - uncredited)
 
1938 Sing, You Sinners (performer: "I'VE GOT A POCKETFUL OF DREAMS", "LAUGH AND CALL IT LOVE", "SMALL FRY" / "I'VE GOT A POCKETFUL OF DREAMS")
 
Show ShowProducer (2 titles)
The Donald O'Connor Show (TV series) (producer - 2 episodes, 1954-1955) (executive producer - 1 episode, 1955)
Episode #1.9 (1955) (executive producer)
Episode #1.6 (1955) (producer)
Episode #1.5 (1954) (producer)
 
1948 The Buick-Berle Show (TV series) (producer)
 
Show ShowDirector (2 titles)
1964 Petticoat Junction (TV series)
The Ladybugs (1964)
 
1954-1955 The Donald O'Connor Show (TV series)
Episode #1.6 (1955)
Episode #1.5 (1954)
 
Show ShowThanks (2 titles)
Show ShowSelf (72 titles)
2003 The Desilu Story (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2002 American Masters (TV series documentary)
Himself
Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer (2002) … Himself
 
2002 What a Glorious Feeling: The Making of 'Singin' in the Rain' (video documentary short)
Himself
 
1999 Biography (TV series documentary)
Himself
 
1998 The Best of Hollywood (TV documentary)
Himself - Interview
 
1995 Pioneers of Primetime (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1994 Golden Globes 50th Anniversary Celebration (TV movie)
Himself
 
1993 Bob Hope: The First 90 Years (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1993 Vicki! (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 30 March 1993 (1993) … Himself
 
1991 Movie Memories with Debbie Reynolds (TV series)
Himself
 
1989 Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow (TV mini-series documentary)
Himself
Episode #1.3 (1989) … Himself
 
1988 America's Tribute to Bob Hope (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1987 The 32th Annual Thalians Ball (TV movie)
Himself
 
1987 Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood (TV special documentary)
Himself
 
1986 NBC 60th Anniversary Celebration (TV special documentary)
Himself
 
1986 The 58th Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Co-Presenter: Best Original Score and Best Original Song
 
1986 Great Performances (TV series)
Himself
Irving Berlin's America (1986) … Himself
 
1985 AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Gene Kelly (TV special documentary)
Himself
 
1985 Night of 100 Stars II (TV movie)
Himself
 
1983 Texaco Star Theater: Opening Night (TV movie)
Himself
 
1981 James Cagney: That Yankee Doodle Dandy (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1981 Alice (TV series)
Himself
Guinness on Tap (1981) … Himself
 
1981 A Gift of Music (TV movie)
Himself - Host
 
1981 All-Star Salute to Mother's Day (TV special)
Himself
 
1980 The Big Show (TV series)
Himself
Episode #1.10 (1980) … Himself
 
1980 The 52nd Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Performer: 'Dancin' on the Silver Screen'
 
1980 Lucy Moves to NBC (TV movie)
Himself
 
1978 Bing Crosby: His Life and Legend (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1976 Dinah! (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 6 October 1976 (1976) … Himself
 
1976 Friars Club Tribute to Gene Kelly (TV movie)
Himself - Performer
 
1975 The Lion Roars Again (documentary short)
Himself (uncredited)
 
1974 ABC Late Night (TV series)
Himself
That's Entertainment! 50 Years of MGM (1974) … Himself
 
1974 That's Entertainment! (documentary)
Himself - Co-Host/Narrator/Clip from 'Singin' in the Rain' (also archive footage)
 
1974 The 46th Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Co-Presenter: Best Adapted Score
 
1967-1974 The Dean Martin Comedy Hour (TV series)
Himself
Celebrity Roast: Truman Capote (1974) … Himself
Celebrity Roast: Zsa Zsa Gabor (1974) … Himself
Celebrity Roast: Monty Hall (1973) … Himself
Episode dated 26 October 1967 (1967) … Himself
 
1974 Just One More Time (short)
Himself (uncredited)
 
1973 The Hollywood Squares (TV series)
Guest Appearance
Episode dated 23 April 1973 (1973) … Guest Appearance
 
1972-1973 The Julie Andrews Hour (TV series)
Himself
Episode #1.23 (1973) … Himself
Episode #1.10 (1972) … Himself
 
1971 The Pet Set (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 21 June 1971 (1971) … Himself
 
1969-1970 The Carol Burnett Show (TV series)
Himself
Episode #4.7 (1970) … Himself
Episode #3.12 (1969) … Himself
 
1970 The Andy Williams Show (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 3 October 1970 (1970) … Himself
Episode dated 21 February 1970 (1970) … Himself
 
1970 The Engelbert Humperdinck Show (TV series)
Himself
Episode #2.9 (1970) … Himself
 
1964-1969 The Bob Hope Show (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 13 October 1969 (1969) … Himself
Episode dated 20 November 1964 (1964) … Himself
 
1968 ...And Debbie Makes Six (TV movie)
Himself
 
1964-1967 The Hollywood Palace (TV series)
Singer / Himself - Host / Himself - Guest Host / …
Episode #4.18 (1967) … Himself - Host/Singer
Episode #3.20 (1966) … Himself - Host/Singer
Episode #2.13 (1964) … Himself - Guest Host
Episode #2.4 (1964) … Himself - Guest Host/Singer/Dancer
Episode #1.15 (1964) … Himself - Host/Singer
 
1966 Hollywood Talent Scouts (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 9 May 1966 (1966) … Himself
 
1964-1966 The Bell Telephone Hour (TV series)
Himself - Host
The Song and the Dance Man (1966) … Himself - Host
The Many Facets of Cole Porter (1965) … Himself - Host
Episode #6.15 (1964) … Himself - Host
 
1964 The Bob Hope Thanksgiving Special (TV movie)
Himself
 
1963 The Judy Garland Show (TV series)
Himself
Episode #1.1 (1963) … Himself
 
1963 Password All-Stars (TV series)
Panelist
Dorothy Loudon vs. Donald O'Connor (1963) … Panelist
 
1962 The Tonight Show (TV series)
Guest Host
 
1962 Arthur Freed's Hollywood Melody (TV movie)
Himself/Host
 
1953-1962 The Ed Sullivan Show (TV series)
Himself
Episode #15.18 (1962) … Himself
Episode #10.30 (1957) … Himself
Episode #6.24 (1953) … Himself
 
1956-1961 The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (TV series)
Himself
Episode #6.2 (1961) … Himself
Episode #1.4 (1956) … Himself
 
1961 Here's Hollywood (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 12 October 1961 (1961) … Himself
 
1961 I've Got a Secret (TV series)
Celebrity Guest
Episode dated 10 May 1961 (1961) … Celebrity Guest
 
1960 Person to Person (TV series documentary)
Himself
Episode #7.43 (1960) … Himself
 
1959 Pontiac Star Parade (TV special)
Himself
 
1958 The Red Skelton Hour (TV series)
Himself
Friends of Red Skelton Variety Show (1958) … Himself
 
1957 This Is Your Life (TV series)
Himself
Buster Keaton (1957) … Himself
 
1954-1955 The Donald O'Connor Show (TV series)
Himself
Episode #1.19 (1955) … Himself
Episode #1.18 (1955) … Himself
Episode #1.17 (1955) … Himself
Episode #1.16 (1955) … Himself
Episode #1.15 (1955) … Himself
 
1954 The Jimmy Durante Show (TV series)
Dancer / Himself - Singer
Episode #1.1 (1954) … Himself - Singer/Dancer
 
1954 The 26th Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Host from Hollywood & Performer
 
1951-1954 The Colgate Comedy Hour (TV series)
Himself - Host / Himself / Performer
Episode #4.20 (1954) … Himself - Host
Episode #4.13 (1953) … Himself
Episode #4.12 (1953) … Himself - Host
Episode #4.8 (1953) … Himself - Host
Episode #4.4 (1953) … Himself - Host
 
1952 Screen Snapshots 5852: Hollywood Night at '21' Club (documentary short)
Himself - Celebration Guest
 
1950 All Star Revue (TV series)
Actor / Dancer / Himself - Guest Singer
Episode #1.5 (1950) … Himself - Guest Singer/Dancer/Actor
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (13 titles)
2012 Lucy Moves to NBC: A Remembrance (video documentary short)
On set footage/Outtakes & clips from 'Lucy Moves to NBC'
 
2008 Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical Treasure (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2004 The 76th Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Himself (Memorial Tribute)
 
1994 That's Entertainment! III (documentary)
Performer in Clips from 'Singin' in the Rain'/'I Love Melvin' (uncredited)
 
1985 Great Performances (TV series)
 
1985 That's Dancing! (documentary)
Himself, film clip
 
1976 That's Entertainment, Part II (documentary)
Clip from 'Singin' in the Rain'
 
1976 It's Showtime (documentary)
Himself (uncredited)
 
1974 Fred Astaire Salutes the Fox Musicals (TV movie)
Himself
 
1970 The Hollywood Palace (TV series)
 
1963 Marilyn (documentary)
Himself (scene from "There's No Business Like Show Business") (uncredited)
 
1953-1954 The Ed Sullivan Show (TV series)
 

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Personal Details

Other Works:

(March 1978) He performed with Ginger Rogers at the London Palladium in London, England with Ginger Rogers and Charlie Smithers in the cast. Onna White was director. See more »

Publicity Listings:

3 Articles  | 1 Magazine Cover Photo  | See more »

Height:

5' 7" (1.70 m)
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Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

"It's not easy working with a genius - but Gene was very patient with me." - On his Singin' in the Rain co-star, Gene Kelly, in 1988. See more »

Trivia:

Inducted into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame in 2004. See more »

Trademark:

His ability to do somersault against walls during a musical number in films See more »

Star Sign:

Virgo